James N. Bly, 90 of Cooperstown, passed away Friday February 24, 2006 in Bassett Healthcare Cooperstown, after a short illness.

Jim was born in Watsontown, Pennsylvania, on April 21, 1915 the son of the late David and Amy Nicely Bly. He was a graduate of Watsontown High School, class of 1933, Perkiomen Prep School, class of 1936, and US Army Officer Training School, Brisbane, Australia. He married the former Dorothy Hess on April 9, 1946 at Berwick , Pennsylvania. He served as a Second Lieutenant in the US Army during WW-II. He served his internship as a funeral director at Fairchild & Sons Funeral Directors, Brooklyn. He owned Newitt-Bly Funeral Home, Bly Ageless Thought Memorials, and Newitt-Bly Ambulance Service all of Little Falls, and Lankton, Townsend & Cronk Funeral Home, Utica.

Jim had many interests, always with the community's interests forefront in his mind. He was past president of the Tri County Funeral Directors Assn., Little Falls Civic Club, and the Cooperstown Rotary Club. He was the former treasurer of the Friends of the Cooperstown Library, trustee of the First Presbyterian Church of Cooperstown, member of the Steve Stefula Post VFW, Little Falls, Herkimer County Coroner, 2nd Ward Alderman, Little Falls Common Council. He was also Codes officer and inspector, Village of Cooperstown. Senior Citizen Meals, Cooperstown, and Senior Citizen Bridge, Cooperstown.

In all of Jim's endeavors, he always showed compassion and professionalism with whom all he worked and mentored. He was a kind soul who always looked on the bright side of things. Jim will be missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing him.

He is survived by his wife: Dorothy Bly, Cooperstown, one daughter: Gwendolyn Boggs of Vancouver, WA, two sons: David Bly and his wife Valerie of Ormond Beach, FL, James T.H.. Bly of South Daytona, Florida; 2 grandchildren, Jennifer Beck, and Erika Boggs, 1 great-grand-daughter, Norah Beck,1 niece, Ellen Dunn, 1 nephew, Theron Royer, and several cousins.

He was predeceased by 2 sisters, Ruth Royer, and Dorothy Bly.

A memorial service celebrating the life of Jim Bly will be held at the convenience of the family.

Memorial contributions in Jim's memory may be made to Catskill area Hospice, 1 Birchwood Drive, Oneonta, 13856.

Arrangements are under the direction of Clark, Winter & Courtney Funeral Home, Walton.

Condolences to the family may be made online by visiting our web site at www.courtneyfh.com